Latest news with #PuneRegionalTransportOffice
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Haven't got HSRPs installed? Get ready to face penalty!
PUNE: With only a few days left for the August 15 deadline for high-security registration plate (HSRP) installation in Maharashtra, the state transport department has made it clear that there will be no extension this time. The transport department has warned vehicle owners who fail to install HSRPs within the stipulated time of strict action. Noida, India - December 18, 2020: A mechanic replacing a car's old registration number plate with the high security registration plate (HSRP) at Ace Honda service centre, in Noida Sector 11, India, on Friday, December 18, 2020. (Photo by Sunil Ghosh / Hindustan Times) To go with Shafaque's story According to data from the Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO), a total 774,489 HSRP orders have been placed so far under the MH12 code. Out of these, 698,497 appointments have been scheduled and 540,009 fitments have been completed as of August 11, 2025. As per the information shared by the state transport department, not only will the RTO-related work (ownership transfers, fitness certificates, and other services) of vehicle owners who fail to install HSRPs within the stipulated time be put on hold, they will also be liable to pay an additional penalty. The department has urged citizens to get their HSRPs fitted at the earliest to avoid last-minute rush and legal consequences. The authorities have also indicated that enforcement drives will intensify immediately after the deadline, and vehicles found without the mandatory plates will be penalised on the spot. The HSRPs, designed to enhance vehicle identification and curb theft, are being made compulsory across the state with the final compliance date now rapidly approaching. Swapnil Bhosale, deputy regional transport officer, Pune, said, 'Vehicle owners must ensure that they get their HSRPs fitted before the deadline. Post-deadline, we will not process any RTO-related work for non-compliant vehicles, and penalty action will be taken as per the rules.'
Hindustan Times
31-07-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Automated Driving Test Track approved at Phulenagar RTO to ease licence process
PUNE: Ending a five-year delay due to space constraints and technical objections, the transport department has finally approved the establishment of an automated driving testing track (ADTT) at Phulenagar, Alandi Road, Pune. Automated Driving Test Track approved at Phulenagar RTO to ease licence process As per the information shared by the Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO), the new ADTT system will be implemented by a private company through a tendering process floated by the local Sub-Regional Transport Office. The track is expected to be completed within a year, and will mirror the design of the current automated track at the Institute of Driving Training and Research (IDTR) in Bhosari. Pune regional transport officer Swapnil Bhosale confirmed the development and said, 'The tendering process for establishing the automated driving test facility at the Alandi Road RTO premises has been completed. The track will be a replica of the one at IDTR and will be built by a private agency using modern technology. The project is targeted to be completed within a year.' Presently, the four-wheeler driving test takes place at the IDTR, Bhosari, after obtaining a learner's licence whereas the two-wheeler test is taken on a normal testing track at the Phulenagar RTO premises. The Pune RTO had earlier proposed setting up new ADTT test centres at Hadapsar, Alandi Road, and Dive Ghat near Saswad in a bid to decentralise and improve accessibility. Among these, the Alandi Road project has finally received the green signal. The Alandi site already has a normal '8' shaped two-wheeler permanent license test track and also had a brake test track for heavy vehicles, but earlier proposals for a two-wheeler ADTT testing system were rejected due to concerns over space and other technical reasons. However, after the RTO indicated the increasing number of applicants and highlighted the adequacy of the available land, the transport department approved the setup of the ADTT specifically for two-wheeler testing. Bhosale said, 'One of the key features of the automated system is its use of sensors for evaluating test performance, which significantly reduces human intervention and ensures fair assessment. However, this also means that even minor mistakes by applicants are recorded, leading to a high failure rate at the IDTR track. Many applicants are apprehensive about the lack of leniency in the system.'
Hindustan Times
24-05-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Low response for HSRP number plates installation in Pune
Vehicle owners in Pune have shown a lukewarm response towards the mandatory installation of high-security registration plates (HSRP) on old vehicles. According to recent data, out of the 25 lakh vehicles in the city, only around 4.6 lakh have registered online for HSRP installation as of Thursday, May 22, while merely 2.08 lakh vehicles have had the plates affixed so far. In view of this, the Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) has urged the remaining vehicle owners to complete the installation by June 30. Failure to do so will result in punitive action, including fines, as warned by the transport authorities. The directive from the transport department mandates that all vehicles registered before April 1, 2019, must have the new HSRPs installed by the end of June 2025. To facilitate this process, over 150 authorised centres have been set up across Pune, and an online registration facility has been made available for ease and convenience. However, the response from the public has been relatively poor. 'In light of the current situation, the RTO has once again appealed to vehicle owners to complete the online registration and ensure the plates are installed on their vehicles before the June 30 deadline. Non-compliance will lead to financial penalties,' said Swapnil Bhosale, deputy regional transport officer of Pune. Rahul Deshpande, a 42-year-old IT professional and resident of Kothrud, expressed his concerns about the HSRP process and said, 'I fully support the idea of HSRP number plates for better security and regulation. However, the process has been quite confusing. The online portal often crashes or doesn't confirm appointments properly. I tried to book a slot twice and didn't receive any confirmation.'
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
‘Dirty loos, no lifts': Public parking lots lack amenities, but PMC goes all out on ‘VIP toilets'
1 2 Pune: Citizens continue to endure subpar PMC-managed parking lots lacking basic amenities like functional toilets and lifts, while the administration gears up to splurge Rs 2.5 crore on five 'VIP toilets', highlighting its skewed priorities and neglect of public needs. Shankar Dalvi, a senior citizen, shared his frustrating experience at a PMC parking lot near the central market area. "The toilets were unclean, and the absence of a lift forced us to walk all the way up to retrieve the car. PMC should prioritise fixing the lifts at parking lots to ease the hardship," he said. Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) manages over 25 parking facilities, but commuters frequently find them full, particularly on weekends. Parking lot operators acknowledge the public's frustration, citing the absence of lifts and escalators as a major concern. However, they shift the responsibility to the civic administration, stating it's their duty to provide these essential amenities. Narayan Peth resident Sandesh Pendse suggested that PMC increased parking lot capacity to ease road chaos. "As our housing society is located near a PMC-run parking lot, we often face huge traffic rush due to insufficient parking. Adding two more floors to the existing three to four-story parking lots can easily accommodate more vehicles and reduce haphazard parking," Pendse said. Civic officials said the administration was set to begin repair and maintenance works at the parking lots. "The works are expected to begin over the next few days. The administration is in the process of appointing contractors to take up the repairs," an official said, adding that toilet at the parking lots would be repaired during the proposed work. "We are planning to take up repairs and maintenance works at the parking units. As of now, there is no specific proposal to fix the lifts. But, we will work on the proposal," another official said. The number of vehicles in Pune city has been steadily increasing over the years. According to the Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO), the total number of registered vehicles in Pune was approximately 43.40 lakh as of Sept 2022. These include 32.2 lakh two-wheelers and 7.5 lakh cars, the data showed. Ajay Shelar, a resident of Karve Road, highlighted the city's parking woes, saying, "With the surge in private vehicles, parking has become a major issue. Lack of parking spaces on major roads and near Metro stations is leading to haphazard parking." Taking on the PMC's 'wasteful' spending on 'VIP toilets', a commuter said it was ironical that the civic administration was ready to spend Rs 2.5 crore of public funds on so-called 'VIP toilets', but was squeezing purse strings on amenities for common people. Satara Road resident Sumit Shah said PMC did not implement parking policy on key roads. "PMC should clarify how many parking lots are yet to be developed," he added. Major Demands by Commuters - Increase capacity of existing parking lots - Provide adequate toilets and lifts at the lots - Take strict action against overcharging - Develop parking lots in more areas of the city
Hindustan Times
02-05-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Installation of HSRPs in Pune sees slow progress
Despite insistence from the state transport department and an extended deadline of June 30, the installation of high-security registration plates (HSRPs) in Pune is progressing at a sluggish pace with only 140,679 vehicle owners having successfully installed new plates under the jurisdiction of the Pune Regional Transport Office (RTO) and only 274,336 appointments having been booked for installation as of April 30 this year. The number is significantly lower as compared to the estimated 25 lakh vehicles registered in Pune district that need to comply with the HSRP mandate. Both officials and citizens are concerned about the slow pace and limited infrastructure in place for carrying out the massive exercise. With only 125 authorised centres in the district currently designated to carry out HSRP installation, experts are of the view that it may take up to a year to complete the process unless the number of authorised centres and workforce size is significantly increased. Citizens are voicing frustration at delays, logistical hurdles and limited availability of time slots for HSRP installation. Rohit Solanki, a resident of Kothrud and owner of a two-wheeler, said, 'I booked my appointment two weeks ago and got a slot only in the third week of May. When I went to the centre, I had to wait for over three hours in the sun. There aren't enough centres for the number of vehicles in the city. If they want us all to comply, they need to ramp up capacity.' Meenal Deshpande, who recently got an HSRP for her car at a centre in Hadapsar echoed similar concerns. 'The process is smooth once you are at the centre but getting an appointment is a challenge. Many elderly people or those who are not tech-savvy are struggling with the online booking system. The RTO should have considered these aspects before rolling out such a large-scale mandate,' Deshpande said. Swapnil Bhosale, Pune RTO deputy regional transport officer, said, 'We understand the concerns raised by citizens as there are many vehicles in Pune that need HSRPs. We are working with the authorised vendors to increase installation capacity. More centres are being proposed and we are urging vehicle owners not to wait until the last minute to book their appointments. The extension till June 30 was granted keeping in mind the logistical realities.' The HSRPs, which come with tamper-proof features and a unique laser code, are intended to enhance vehicle security and curb vehicle-related crimes. The transport department has mandated the installation of these plates for all vehicles registered before April 2019. With the current pace of progress, the pressure is mounting on authorities to speed up implementation, and on vehicle owners to act promptly to avoid last-minute rush and potential penalties. As the June 30 deadline looms large, both infrastructure and awareness will be key for ensuring compliance.
